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T. MARTIN.

GATE LATCH.

(No Model.)

Patented Sept. 6, 1887.

WITNESSES:

N. PETERS. Phoko-wagr phur, Wnhlngmn. 0.1:.

UNITED STATES PATENT rricn.

THEODORE MARTIN, OF WVALLACEBURG, ONTARIO, CANADA.

GATE-LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 369,352, dated September 6, 1887.

Application filed June 13, 1887. Serial No. 241,231. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Tnnononn MARTIN, of W'allaceburg, in the county of Kent and Province of Ontario, Canada, gentleman, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gate-Latches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of gate-latches, as

to fully described hereinafter, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1, 2, 3, 4., 5, and 6 are detached perspective views of the different parts composing my gate-latch, as hereinafter specifically re ferrcd to, and indicated by letters of reference. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a gatepost provided with the keeper. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a gate provided with my improved latch. Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a part of the gatelrame, showing the part hereinafter referred to as latch-guide in position thereon. Figs. 10 and 11 are detached views of parts in modified form, and specifically referred to hereinafter.

The part A, shown detached in Fig. 1, is a bar of spring-steel secured to the inside of the perpendicular piece of the gateframemear its lower end, by a screw, as at a in Fig. 8, and near its upper end by a staple, as at c in the 0 same figure. This staple, which is shown in detached perspective in Fig. 3, straddles the spring A and allows it a limited amount of play, for the purpose hereinafter described.

The upper end of the plate A is provided with a vertical notch or slot, A, to receive the latch B in Fig. 4. This latch is provided upon its sides with the two corresponding series of notches, d cf, which permit of adjustabl y engaging the latch into the slot of the 0 bar A, as shown in Fig. 8, a suitable aperture being cut through the frame of the gate to permit the free end of the latch to engage into the keeper on the gatepost. This keeper is shown in Fig. 2, and is of known construction, 17 be .5 ing the oblong recess into which the latch ongages, and IL is the usual incline to force the latch back in closing the gate.

The slotted plate D, shown in Fig. 5, is a latch-guide, and is secured to the gate, as

shown in Fig. 9, to permit the free end of the latch to project through the slot into the keeper on the gate-post.

The plate E, shown detached in Fig. 6, is a locking-plate to be secured to the gate above the latch to prevent the latter from being disengaged from the bar A. By securing this lockingplate in the manner shown in Fig. 8 the lower screw may be removed and the plate swung aside to permit a readjustment of the latch at any time it should become necessary, after which this plate is then again permanently secured to lock the latch in position.

In practice it will be seen that by taking hold of the inner end of the latch and pulling it,it can be readily disengaged from the keeper on the post, it it is desired to open the gate, and to this end the latch is provided, for convenient operation, with a suitable handle or eye, 0.

The closing of the gate is perfectly made by simply pushing the gate to a closed position, when the latch B, (which is beveled at the front end in the usual manner,) will spring back and then snap into the keeper.

Should the latch at any time from various causes become too long or too short for holding the gate properly, it may be easily readjusted by changing the engagement of the latch with the bar A to a more appropriate set of notches, so as to project the latch more or less, as required for proper operation, there being a suitable number of adjusting-notches provided on the latch. The operation of the locking-plate in connection with this adjustment of the latch has been explained heretofore.

Instead of the notches def on the latch B, the latter may be provided with adjustingholes 7 Z in, as shown in Fig. 10, and in connection therewith the bar A is to be provided with a pin, 0, to engage therewith, as shown in Fig. 11.

I am aware that spring-latches of this description have been used on gates heretofore.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a gate-latch of the kind described, the combination of a latch slidingly secured to the gateframe, a vertical spring-bar carrying the said latch, and adjustable connection between the latch and spring, substantially as described.

2. In a gate-latch, the combination, with the latch 13, slidingly secured to the gate, of the springbar A, secured upon the inside of the frame of the gate, and adjustable conneelocking-plate removably attached to the gate tion between the free end of the spring and above the latch, substantially as described.

the rear end of the latch, substantially as described. THEODORE MARTIN.

3. In a gate-latch, the combination, with the sliding latch B, having adjusting-notches Witnesses:

d ef, 0f the spring A, notched upon its free W. A. GRANT,

end to adjustably engage therewith, and a C. B. JACKSON. 

